Culver man allegedly shot stepson in the chest

Jeffrey Kroo is facing attempted murder and other charges

By Shelby R. King

The Bulletin

A Culver man is recovering in the hospital after taking a .45-caliber bullet to the chest Friday, according to Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins.

Justin Boothby, 37, was listed in fair condition at St. Charles Bend on Tuesday, according to spokeswoman Kayley Mendenhall. Jeffrey Kroo, 52, Boothby’s stepfather, is suspected of shooting Boothby in the chest with an automatic pistol during an argument at Kroo’s home, where Boothby had been living, Adkins said.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies responded around 10:39 p.m. to a reported shooting in the 14400 block of Southwest Park Lane in Culver, Adkins said.

“I think this was probably brewing for some time,” Adkins said. “(Kroo’s) statement to me was that he was tired of coming home to his lazy stepson laying around the house living like a pig.”

Kroo reportedly told Adkins that Boothby is bigger than him and would beat him up when their altercations became physical. After the two men fought, Kroo allegedly retrieved the gun and shot Boothby once in the chest, Adkins said.

“He said he was tired of getting beat up,” Adkins said. “He didn’t want him dead and said he meant to shoot him in the shoulder.”

Adkins said the bullet entered Boothby’s chest and exited through his back, adding that he’s recovering “amazingly.”

On Tuesday, Kroo was arraigned on charges of attempted murder, first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon, according to the Oregon Judicial Department website. Kroo is being held at the Jefferson County jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Adkins said he believed alcohol was a contributing factor in the incident and the Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation.

Neither Kroo nor Boothby have convictions for violent crimes in Oregon, according to the Oregon Judicial Department website.